Annan Resigns as Envoy to Syria
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon regretfully announced that Kofi Annan, who lead efforts for a diplomatic resolution to the violence in Syria, is resigning as the UN-League of Arab States Joint Special Envoy for the area.
“I wish to express my deepest gratitude to Mr. Annan for the determined and courageous efforts he has made as the Joint Special Envoy for Syria.”
Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan was appointed as a special envoy on February 23, after almost a year of violence had continued in Syria. He championed the Six-Point Plan for peace and negotiated ceasefires, but both have thus far failed.
“The Six-Point Plan has not been not taken [sic], even though it still remains the best hope for the people of Syria,” said Ban. “Both the Government and the opposition forces continue to demonstrate their determination to rely on ever-increasing violence.”
Ban also noted the UN’s failure to act on the situation; Russia and China have vetoed Security Council resolutions. He called the divisions “an obstacle to diplomacy.”
The UN estimates that 17,000 people have died since the violence began last March, when Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces cracked down on peaceful protests. People across the country took up arms in rebellion, including military defectors.
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